{"id":"qld:sl-2013-0301","name":"Water Plan (Boyne River Basin) 2013","slug":"water-plan-boyne-river-basin-2013","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"301 of 2013","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":175639,"registerId":"qld-qld:sl-2013-0301-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"sec.17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Decisions to be consistent with objectives","content":"### sec.17 Decisions to be consistent with objectives\n\nDecisions made by the chief executive about the allocation or management of water in the plan area, other than a decision about a water permit not mentioned in the resource operations plan, must be consistent with—\nthe environmental flow objectives stated in section 14 ; and\nthe water allocation security objective stated in section 16 .\n- (a) the environmental flow objectives stated in section 14 ; and\n- (b) the water allocation security objective stated in section 16 .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"sec.18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Assessing impact of decisions","content":"### sec.18 Assessing impact of decisions\n\nThe IQQM computer program’s simulation for the simulation period is used to assess consistency with the environmental flow objectives and the water allocation security objective.\nIf it is not practicable to use the IQQM computer program, another assessment method approved by the chief executive may be used.\nThe chief executive may approve an assessment method for subsection (2) only if the chief executive is satisfied the method will assess consistency with the objectives at least as accurately as the IQQM computer program.\n(sec.18-ssec.1) The IQQM computer program’s simulation for the simulation period is used to assess consistency with the environmental flow objectives and the water allocation security objective.\n(sec.18-ssec.2) If it is not practicable to use the IQQM computer program, another assessment method approved by the chief executive may be used.\n(sec.18-ssec.3) The chief executive may approve an assessment method for subsection (2) only if the chief executive is satisfied the method will assess consistency with the objectives at least as accurately as the IQQM computer program.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Unallocated water","content":"# Unallocated water","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.2-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Strategic water infrastructure reserve, strategic reserve and general reserve","content":"## Strategic water infrastructure reserve, strategic reserve and general reserve","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"sec.19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Unallocated water held as strategic water infrastructure reserve, strategic reserve and general reserve","content":"### sec.19 Unallocated water held as strategic water infrastructure reserve, strategic reserve and general reserve\n\nUnallocated water in the plan area is held as a strategic water infrastructure reserve, strategic reserve or a general reserve.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"sec.20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Purpose for which unallocated water may be granted","content":"### sec.20 Purpose for which unallocated water may be granted\n\nUnallocated water in the plan area may only be granted for the following purposes—\nfor unallocated water held as a strategic water infrastructure reserve—a raising of Awoonga Dam;\nfor unallocated water held as a strategic reserve—a State purpose;\nfor unallocated water held as a general reserve—any purpose.\n- (a) for unallocated water held as a strategic water infrastructure reserve—a raising of Awoonga Dam;\n- (b) for unallocated water held as a strategic reserve—a State purpose;\n- (c) for unallocated water held as a general reserve—any purpose.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Reserve volumes","content":"### sec.21 Reserve volumes\n\nThe total of the nominal volumes for all supplemented water allocations to take unallocated water granted from the strategic water infrastructure reserve for a future raising of Awoonga Dam is 19000ML.\nThe total of the nominal entitlements for water licences to take unallocated water granted from the strategic reserve or general reserve are—\nfor all water licences to take unallocated water from the strategic reserve in subcatchment area B—500ML; and\nfor all water licences to take unallocated water from the general reserve—\nin subcatchment area A—338ML; and\nin subcatchment area B—1000ML.\n(sec.21-ssec.1) The total of the nominal volumes for all supplemented water allocations to take unallocated water granted from the strategic water infrastructure reserve for a future raising of Awoonga Dam is 19000ML.\n(sec.21-ssec.2) The total of the nominal entitlements for water licences to take unallocated water granted from the strategic reserve or general reserve are— for all water licences to take unallocated water from the strategic reserve in subcatchment area B—500ML; and for all water licences to take unallocated water from the general reserve— in subcatchment area A—338ML; and in subcatchment area B—1000ML.\n- (a) for all water licences to take unallocated water from the strategic reserve in subcatchment area B—500ML; and\n- (b) for all water licences to take unallocated water from the general reserve— (i) in subcatchment area A—338ML; and (ii) in subcatchment area B—1000ML.\n- (i) in subcatchment area A—338ML; and\n- (ii) in subcatchment area B—1000ML.\n- (i) in subcatchment area A—338ML; and\n- (ii) in subcatchment area B—1000ML.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"sec.22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Period for which water is granted for particular State purpose","content":"### sec.22 Period for which water is granted for particular State purpose\n\nThis section applies to the volume of water granted from the strategic reserve for either of the following State purposes—\na coordinated project;\na project of regional significance.\nThe volume of water is granted only for the life of the project and on conclusion of the project the volume of water returns to the strategic reserve.\n(sec.22-ssec.1) This section applies to the volume of water granted from the strategic reserve for either of the following State purposes— a coordinated project; a project of regional significance.\n(sec.22-ssec.2) The volume of water is granted only for the life of the project and on conclusion of the project the volume of water returns to the strategic reserve.\n- (a) a coordinated project;\n- (b) a project of regional significance.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"sec.23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Projects that may be considered to be of regional significance","content":"### sec.23 Projects that may be considered to be of regional significance\n\nThe chief executive may consider a particular project to be a project of regional significance for the plan area only if the chief executive considers the project is significant for a region in the plan area having regard to the following—\nthe outcomes stated in chapter 3 ;\nthe economic or social impact the project will have on the region;\nthe public interest and the welfare of people in the region;\nany other relevant consideration.\n- (a) the outcomes stated in chapter 3 ;\n- (b) the economic or social impact the project will have on the region;\n- (c) the public interest and the welfare of people in the region;\n- (d) any other relevant consideration.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.2-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Process for granting unallocated water","content":"## Process for granting unallocated water","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"sec.24","sectionType":"section","heading":"Process for granting unallocated water","content":"### sec.24 Process for granting unallocated water\n\nThe process for granting unallocated water from the strategic water infrastructure reserve is the process stated in the resource operations plan.\nThe process for granting unallocated water from the strategic reserve or general reserve is a process stated in the Water Regulation 2016 , part 2 , division 2 , subdivision 2 .\ns 24 amd 2016 SL No. 216 s 146 sch 20\n(sec.24-ssec.1) The process for granting unallocated water from the strategic water infrastructure reserve is the process stated in the resource operations plan.\n(sec.24-ssec.2) The process for granting unallocated water from the strategic reserve or general reserve is a process stated in the Water Regulation 2016 , part 2 , division 2 , subdivision 2 .","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.2-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Limitation on granting unallocated water","content":"## Limitation on granting unallocated water","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"sec.25","sectionType":"section","heading":"Pass flow conditions for taking unallocated water","content":"### sec.25 Pass flow conditions for taking unallocated water\n\nWater licences to take water from a watercourse located in subcatchment area B granted from the strategic reserve or general reserve must include a pass flow condition.\nThis section does not apply to a water licence to take water from an impoundment.\nIn this section—\npass flow condition means a condition on a water licence to take water that states the rate of flow in a watercourse that must, while the water is being taken under the licence, be passing immediately downstream of the point on the watercourse at which water is taken under the licence.\n(sec.25-ssec.1) Water licences to take water from a watercourse located in subcatchment area B granted from the strategic reserve or general reserve must include a pass flow condition.\n(sec.25-ssec.2) This section does not apply to a water licence to take water from an impoundment.\n(sec.25-ssec.3) In this section— pass flow condition means a condition on a water licence to take water that states the rate of flow in a watercourse that must, while the water is being taken under the licence, be passing immediately downstream of the point on the watercourse at which water is taken under the licence.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Authorised taking or interfering with water without water entitlement","content":"# Authorised taking or interfering with water without water entitlement","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"sec.26","sectionType":"section","heading":"Taking water for stock or domestic purposes","content":"### sec.26 Taking water for stock or domestic purposes\n\nFor section 20A (5) of the Act , an owner of land may take water, in any way, from a watercourse, lake or spring in the plan area for stock or domestic purposes.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"sec.27","sectionType":"section","heading":"Limitation on taking or interfering with water","content":"### sec.27 Limitation on taking or interfering with water\n\nFor section 20 (2) of the Act , the total volume of water that may be taken or interfered with for activities prescribed under a regulation for section 20 (2) (a) of the Act is limited to 5ML.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Interference with water in a watercourse, lake or spring","content":"# Interference with water in a watercourse, lake or spring","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"sec.28","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application of pt 4","content":"### sec.28 Application of pt 4\n\nThis part applies to an application, made under section 206 of the Act , for a water licence to interfere with water in a watercourse, lake or spring by impounding the flow of water.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"sec.29","sectionType":"section","heading":"Limitations on interference with water","content":"### sec.29 Limitations on interference with water\n\nThe water licence may be granted only if—\nthe purpose of the proposed interference is a purpose provided for in this part; or\nthe interference was in existence immediately before 14 December 2000.\n- (a) the purpose of the proposed interference is a purpose provided for in this part; or\n- (b) the interference was in existence immediately before 14 December 2000.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"sec.30","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interference with water to enable taking of water for stock or domestic purposes","content":"### sec.30 Interference with water to enable taking of water for stock or domestic purposes\n\nThis section applies if the purpose of the proposed interference with water is to store water to be taken under an authorisation for stock or domestic purposes.\nIn deciding the application the chief executive must consider existing water supplies on the property to which the application relates, including existing weirs, groundwater and storages taking overland flow water and the availability of water at the proposed site.\nThe storage capacity for water to be taken under subsection (1) must not be greater than is necessary for the storage of water to be taken.\nIn this section—\ngroundwater means underground water.\ns 30 amd 2016 SL No. 216 s 146 sch 20\n(sec.30-ssec.1) This section applies if the purpose of the proposed interference with water is to store water to be taken under an authorisation for stock or domestic purposes.\n(sec.30-ssec.2) In deciding the application the chief executive must consider existing water supplies on the property to which the application relates, including existing weirs, groundwater and storages taking overland flow water and the availability of water at the proposed site.\n(sec.30-ssec.3) The storage capacity for water to be taken under subsection (1) must not be greater than is necessary for the storage of water to be taken.\n(sec.30-ssec.4) In this section— groundwater means underground water. s 30 amd 2016 SL No. 216 s 146 sch 20","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"sec.31","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interference with water for provision of pumping pool","content":"### sec.31 Interference with water for provision of pumping pool\n\nThis section applies if the purpose of the proposed interference with water is to provide a pumping pool to enable water to be taken under an authorisation.\nThe storage capacity of the pumping pool must not be greater than the following—\nfor locations upstream of Awoonga Dam—the capacity required to enable the pump to function properly;\nfor locations downstream of Awoonga Dam—the capacity required to ensure access to fresh water for irrigation or other purposes.\nIn this section—\npumping pool means a pool of water near a pump in a watercourse, lake or spring that ensures the water level of the watercourse, lake or spring is appropriate to enable the pump to function properly.\n(sec.31-ssec.1) This section applies if the purpose of the proposed interference with water is to provide a pumping pool to enable water to be taken under an authorisation.\n(sec.31-ssec.2) The storage capacity of the pumping pool must not be greater than the following— for locations upstream of Awoonga Dam—the capacity required to enable the pump to function properly; for locations downstream of Awoonga Dam—the capacity required to ensure access to fresh water for irrigation or other purposes.\n(sec.31-ssec.3) In this section— pumping pool means a pool of water near a pump in a watercourse, lake or spring that ensures the water level of the watercourse, lake or spring is appropriate to enable the pump to function properly.\n- (a) for locations upstream of Awoonga Dam—the capacity required to enable the pump to function properly;\n- (b) for locations downstream of Awoonga Dam—the capacity required to ensure access to fresh water for irrigation or other purposes.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"sec.32","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interference with water to improve security for town water supply","content":"### sec.32 Interference with water to improve security for town water supply\n\nThis section applies if the purpose of the proposed interference with water is to provide improved security for town water supplies taken under an authorisation.\nThe chief executive must not grant the application unless the chief executive is satisfied—\nthe town has appropriate water supply security strategies, such as demand and drought management strategies, in place; and\nthere is a demonstrated need for an increased reliability of the water supply.\n(sec.32-ssec.1) This section applies if the purpose of the proposed interference with water is to provide improved security for town water supplies taken under an authorisation.\n(sec.32-ssec.2) The chief executive must not grant the application unless the chief executive is satisfied— the town has appropriate water supply security strategies, such as demand and drought management strategies, in place; and there is a demonstrated need for an increased reliability of the water supply.\n- (a) the town has appropriate water supply security strategies, such as demand and drought management strategies, in place; and\n- (b) there is a demonstrated need for an increased reliability of the water supply.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"sec.33","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interference with water related to the granting of unallocated water","content":"### sec.33 Interference with water related to the granting of unallocated water\n\nThis section applies if the purpose of the proposed interference with water is a purpose related to the granting of unallocated water under the process stated in section 24 .\nThe interference must not be greater than is necessary for the purpose of taking the unallocated water.\nA water licence to interfere with water, granted in association with a water entitlement to take water granted from the release of unallocated water in subcatchment area B, must include flow conditions.\n(sec.33-ssec.1) This section applies if the purpose of the proposed interference with water is a purpose related to the granting of unallocated water under the process stated in section 24 .\n(sec.33-ssec.2) The interference must not be greater than is necessary for the purpose of taking the unallocated water.\n(sec.33-ssec.3) A water licence to interfere with water, granted in association with a water entitlement to take water granted from the release of unallocated water in subcatchment area B, must include flow conditions.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.5","sectionType":"part","heading":"EXISTING WATER ALLOCATIONS TO TAKE SUPPLEMENTED WATER","content":"# EXISTING WATER ALLOCATIONS TO TAKE SUPPLEMENTED WATER","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"sec.34","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.34\n\ns 34 om 2014 SL No. 142 s 36","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.6","sectionType":"part","heading":"Water licences to take water from watercourse, lake or spring","content":"# Water licences to take water from watercourse, lake or spring","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.6-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Form of water licences to take water from a watercourse, lake or spring","content":"## Form of water licences to take water from a watercourse, lake or spring","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"sec.35","sectionType":"section","heading":"Elements of water allocation to take unsupplemented water","content":"### sec.35 Elements of water allocation to take unsupplemented water\n\nA water licence to take water from a watercourse, lake or spring in the plan area must state the following—\n1 of the following purposes for which the water may be taken under the licence—\n‘agriculture’;\n‘any’;\nthe daily volumetric limit;\nthe nominal entitlement;\nthe conditions, if any, including flow conditions.\ns 35 sub 2014 SL No. 142 s 37\n- (a) 1 of the following purposes for which the water may be taken under the licence— (i) ‘agriculture’; (ii) ‘any’;\n- (i) ‘agriculture’;\n- (ii) ‘any’;\n- (b) the daily volumetric limit;\n- (c) the nominal entitlement;\n- (d) the conditions, if any, including flow conditions.\n- (i) ‘agriculture’;\n- (ii) ‘any’;","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"ch.5-pt.6-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Criteria for amending water licences to achieve plan outcomes","content":"## Criteria for amending water licences to achieve plan outcomes","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"sec.36","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definition for div 2","content":"### sec.36 Definition for div 2\n\nIn this division—\namended water licence means a water licence to take unsupplemented water from a watercourse, lake or spring amended under section 217 of the Act .","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"sec.37","sectionType":"section","heading":"Daily volumetric limit for a water licence","content":"### sec.37 Daily volumetric limit for a water licence\n\nThe daily volumetric limit for an amended water licence is—\nfor an amended water licence that, before the amendment, had a related development permit that stated a pump size mentioned in schedule 2 , column 1—the volume stated in schedule 2 , column 2 for the pump size; or\nfor an amended water licence that, before the amendment, had a related development permit that stated a pump size other than a pump size mentioned in schedule 2 , column 1—the volume decided by the chief executive having regard to the volumes stated in schedule 2 , column 2 for pump sizes of a similar size to the pump size stated on the development permit; or\notherwise—the volume decided by the chief executive having regard to—\nthe type of licence; and\na measurement, or estimate, of the daily rate at which water is being taken, or is capable of being taken, under the licence before the amendment.\nHowever, for subsection (1) (a) and (b) , if the licence holder satisfies the chief executive that the water-taking capacity of the pump is different from the daily volumetric limit under the subsection, the daily volumetric limit is the volume decided by the chief executive having regard to the following—\nthe conditions under which the water may be taken;\nthe water-taking capacity of the pump (the existing pump ) to which the development permit relates under normal operating conditions;\nthe irrigation or water distribution system related to the existing pump during the period of not more than 10 years immediately before the commencement of this plan;\nthe efficiency of the water use associated with the existing pump or the system mentioned in paragraph (c) .\n(sec.37-ssec.1) The daily volumetric limit for an amended water licence is— for an amended water licence that, before the amendment, had a related development permit that stated a pump size mentioned in schedule 2 , column 1—the volume stated in schedule 2 , column 2 for the pump size; or for an amended water licence that, before the amendment, had a related development permit that stated a pump size other than a pump size mentioned in schedule 2 , column 1—the volume decided by the chief executive having regard to the volumes stated in schedule 2 , column 2 for pump sizes of a similar size to the pump size stated on the development permit; or otherwise—the volume decided by the chief executive having regard to— the type of licence; and a measurement, or estimate, of the daily rate at which water is being taken, or is capable of being taken, under the licence before the amendment.\n(sec.37-ssec.2) However, for subsection (1) (a) and (b) , if the licence holder satisfies the chief executive that the water-taking capacity of the pump is different from the daily volumetric limit under the subsection, the daily volumetric limit is the volume decided by the chief executive having regard to the following— the conditions under which the water may be taken; the water-taking capacity of the pump (the existing pump ) to which the development permit relates under normal operating conditions; the irrigation or water distribution system related to the existing pump during the period of not more than 10 years immediately before the commencement of this plan; the efficiency of the water use associated with the existing pump or the system mentioned in paragraph (c) .\n- (a) for an amended water licence that, before the amendment, had a related development permit that stated a pump size mentioned in schedule 2 , column 1—the volume stated in schedule 2 , column 2 for the pump size; or\n- (b) for an amended water licence that, before the amendment, had a related development permit that stated a pump size other than a pump size mentioned in schedule 2 , column 1—the volume decided by the chief executive having regard to the volumes stated in schedule 2 , column 2 for pump sizes of a similar size to the pump size stated on the development permit; or\n- (c) otherwise—the volume decided by the chief executive having regard to— (i) the type of licence; and (ii) a measurement, or estimate, of the daily rate at which water is being taken, or is capable of being taken, under the licence before the amendment.\n- (i) the type of licence; and\n- (ii) a measurement, or estimate, of the daily rate at which water is being taken, or is capable of being taken, under the licence before the amendment.\n- (i) the type of licence; and\n- (ii) a measurement, or estimate, of the daily rate at which water is being taken, or is capable of being taken, under the licence before the amendment.\n- (a) the conditions under which the water may be taken;\n- (b) the water-taking capacity of the pump (the existing pump ) to which the development permit relates under normal operating conditions;\n- (c) the irrigation or water distribution system related to the existing pump during the period of not more than 10 years immediately before the commencement of this plan;\n- (d) the efficiency of the water use associated with the existing pump or the system mentioned in paragraph (c) .","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"sec.38","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conditions for amended water licences","content":"### sec.38 Conditions for amended water licences\n\nIn deciding the conditions under which water may be taken under an amended water licence, the chief executive must consider the conditions stated on the water licence being amended.","sortOrder":32}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears to operate within its originally intended scope as a water resource plan for the Boyne River Basin. The provisions consistently focus on water allocation, environmental protection, and infrastructure planning for that specific catchment. One section (s34) was omitted by later amendment, and s24 and s30 were updated to reference the Water Regulation 2016, but these are administrative updates consistent with the plan's original purpose rather than scope changes."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple reserve categories (strategic water infrastructure, strategic, general) with different rules for each","Cross-references to other legislation (Water Regulation 2016, the Act) and internal sections not fully reproduced here","Geographic subdivision into subcatchment areas A and B with different rules applying to each","Technical assessment methodology relying on a specific computer program (IQQM) with fallback provisions","Tiered criteria for calculating daily volumetric limits based on pump size schedules and historical use data","Conditional rules (e.g. pass flow conditions, flow conditions) requiring technical hydrological understanding","Interaction between this plan, the resource operations plan, and the Water Regulation 2016 creates a layered regulatory framework","Amended licence provisions require understanding of pre-existing development permits and pump specifications"],"plain_english_summary":"This plan sets legally binding rules for who can take water from the Boyne River Basin (farmers, landowners, towns, developers, and the State), balancing environmental flows with protecting existing allocations. It allocates unallocated water into reserves — notably 19,000 ML held for a potential Awoonga Dam raise — keeps stock and domestic use licence-free, and restricts new impoundments and pumping through pass-flow and daily limits. It determines whether, how much, and when water can be used."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its original purpose as a basin-specific water resource plan. The provisions cover standard water planning elements: allocation, licensing, environmental flows, and reserves. While there are amendments noted (2014 and 2016), these appear to be technical updates rather than scope expansion. The structure follows the typical Queensland water plan template with preliminary provisions, unallocated water management, licensing rules, and interference provisions."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested categorisation systems: three reserve types (strategic water infrastructure, strategic, general), two subcatchment areas (A and B), and different rules applying to each combination","Cross-references to external documents: the 'resource operations plan', 'Water Regulation 2016', and 'IQQM computer program' are incorporated by reference without full context","Conditional logic with multiple tiers: section 37 contains three-tiered decision trees for calculating daily volumetric limits, with a 'however' exception clause that adds four additional factors","Technical terminology requiring definitions: 'pass flow condition', 'pumping pool', 'nominal entitlement', 'supplemented water', 'unsupplemented water', 'IQQM' (Integrated Quantity and Quality Model)","Temporal and spatial conditions: different rules apply based on location (upstream/downstream of Awoonga Dam), dates (before/after 14 December 2000), and project lifecycles","Amendment history embedded in text: multiple references to 'amd 2016 SL No. 216' and 'sub 2014 SL No. 142' indicate evolving regulatory framework","Dual-purpose provisions: sections 26-27 serve dual functions as both operational rules and definitional provisions for the parent Water Act"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation is a **water management plan for the Boyne River Basin in Queensland**, covering how water is allocated, used, and protected in that specific geographic area.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Sets rules for how government officials (the \"chief executive\") make decisions about water allocation and management\n- Establishes three types of **water reserves** (like savings accounts for water):\n  - **Strategic water infrastructure reserve**: Specifically for future expansion of Awoonga Dam (19,000 megalitres available)\n  - **Strategic reserve**: For State government purposes like major regional projects (500 megalitres in subcatchment area B)\n  - **General reserve**: For any purpose (338 megalitres in area A, 1,000 megalitres in area B)\n- Allows landholders to take water for **stock and domestic purposes** (watering animals and household use) without a formal water entitlement\n- Limits certain water-taking activities to **5 megalitres** maximum\n- Sets conditions for **interfering with water flow** (such as building dams or weirs), including:\n  - Storage limits for stock/domestic use\n  - Rules for pumping pools (water pools that help pumps function)\n  - Requirements for town water supply security\n- Specifies what information must appear on **water licences**, including daily volume limits and conditions\n- Requires computer modelling (the \"IQQM computer program\") to check that decisions meet environmental and water security goals\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Farmers and irrigators in the Boyne River Basin\n- Local councils and town water suppliers\n- Landholders taking water for stock and domestic use\n- Developers of major projects requiring water allocations\n- Environmental regulators\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis plan balances competing needs: ensuring enough water stays in rivers for environmental health (\"environmental flow objectives\"), giving certainty to existing water users (\"water allocation security objective\"), and allowing controlled development of new water resources. It prevents over-extraction while providing pathways for regional growth through the strategic reserves."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The supplied text defines the plan's allocation, reserve categories, decision rules, licence conditions and numerical limits for the Boyne River Basin. It does not state or compare prior coverage or explicit amendments to an earlier instrument, so no change of scope from an earlier intent can be identified from the text alone; the instrument operates by setting operational rules within the plan area."},"complexity_factors":["Technical modelling requirement: use of IQQM simulation for assessing consistency, with chief executive discretion to approve alternatives meeting an accuracy standard (s.18) — creates reliance on specialised hydrological modelling.","Cross-references to external instruments and plans: required processes and limits point to the resource operations plan, the Water Regulation 2016 and the Act, increasing legal and administrative interdependence (s.24; multiple cross-links).","Quantified reserve volumes and spatial differentiation: fixed nominal volumes for strategic infrastructure and reserves and separate subcatchment allocations introduce numerical constraints and geographic complexity (s.21).","Discretionary decision-making by chief executive: multiple provisions hinge on the chief executive's satisfaction or decision (objectives consistency, approval of methods, project regional-significance, volumetric determinations), introducing subjective judgment points (ss.17–18,23,37).","Licence condition heterogeneity and technical limits: pass-flow and flow conditions, storage-capacity caps for different purposes and pumping-pool rules impose varied operational constraints (ss.25,30–33,31).","Measurement and compliance burden: daily volumetric limits reference schedule 2 or require measurements/estimates and historical system efficiency evidence, increasing evidentiary and administrative requirements for holders (s.37).","Procedural complexity for unallocated-water grants: different grant processes depending on reserve type (strategic infrastructure v. strategic/general) and time-limited grants for some State purposes add transactional complexity and monitoring needs (ss.20,22,24)."],"plain_english_summary":"This plan sets how unallocated water in the Boyne River Basin is reserved, allocated and licensed (strategic infrastructure, state and general reserves) and requires chief-executive decisions to meet environmental-flow and allocation-security objectives assessed by the IQQM model or an approved alternative (ss.17–19,18).  It also imposes specific licence limits and conditions — fixed reserve volumes, pass-flow and flow conditions, storage and pumping-pool capacity limits, and daily volumetric limits tied to schedule 2 or chief-executive determinations — creating measurement, compliance and administrative requirements for licence-holders and applicants (ss.21,25,31,33,37–38)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/water-plan-boyne-river-basin-2013","history":"/api/acts/water-plan-boyne-river-basin-2013/history","analysis":"/api/acts/water-plan-boyne-river-basin-2013/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/water-plan-boyne-river-basin-2013/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/water-plan-boyne-river-basin-2013/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/water-plan-boyne-river-basin-2013/documents"}}